Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-30

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The plans below show the site of a farm in 1950 and the same site today.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.



 

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The data presents two stages of a beechwood farm and one was 1950 and the second is nowadays.

Overall, both maps contains a river and in 1950 the farm was contain several shops but today map shows many shops, parking, solar plates.

Firstly, the 1950 plan gives information about a river that can flowing on the left side and also a track that was located in the center of the farm. Some fruit tress and soft fruits and vegetables. In below side side of the farm we saw chickens, a farmhouse and a barn. On the upper right side we saw some sheep.

Secondly, the presents age map describes a road in the center of the farm and several fruits and vegetables in the left side of the road. In right bottom we see barn, chickens and holiday cottages.

Top right side shows some solar plates and parking. inside the plates we saw camping field that contain some trees and On upper left side another parking is available and also farm shop is situated.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the maps, such as the river, the road, and the addition of facilities like solar panels and holiday cottages. However, the overview is weak and lacks a clear summary of the most significant changes, such as the transition from a purely agricultural site to one focused on tourism. Some details are slightly inaccurate or confusing, such as the description of the 'solar plates' (panels) and the 'camping field' location. To improve, ensure the overview highlights the most striking transformation rather than just listing features, and be more precise when describing the spatial layout of the site.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes inaccurate, such as the repetitive use of 'In below side' or 'On the upper right side'. The progression of ideas is occasionally disjointed, particularly in the final paragraph where the description of the site feels like a list of items rather than a cohesive narrative of the changes. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring clear referencing between the two time periods would significantly enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. Terms like 'solar plates' are non-standard (should be 'solar panels'), and 'presents age map' is unnatural. There is also some repetition of basic vocabulary such as 'farm', 'shops', and 'side'. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to use more specific terminology related to map descriptions, such as 'converted into', 'replaced by', 'situated in the vicinity of', or 'underwent significant development'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('both maps contains', 'farm was contain') and incorrect verb tenses ('that can flowing', 'we saw' used for a present-day map). Sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and using consistent tenses when describing past and present states. Incorporating more complex structures, such as passive voice for describing changes (e.g., 'the barn was converted into...'), would also help.

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